Makkah: Four Umrah pilgrims killed in a head-on collision

Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn. Indeed, to Allāh we belong, and to Him we are returning.

In a head-on collision between a coach and petrol tanker, four British pilgrims have lost their lives and 12 others have been injured yesterday in Saudi Arabia. The Umrah pilgrims killed were from Blackburn and Preston, in Lancashire and were on their way to the holy city of Madinah from Makkah.[1]

Travel company, Hashim Travel stated that the coach was hit by a petrol tanker on its way to Madinah near Al Khalas village in Makkah. The coach which had 18 people on board collided, setting the coach on fire.[2]

The director of the company, Gulfaraz Zaman stated:

“There was a crash between the coach and a petrol tanker. There were 18 people on the coach which was travelling back from Mecca towards Medina. It took place on a main road. Four people have passed away, one from Blackburn and three from Preston. The woman from Blackburn was aged in her 60s.” [3]

A lady from Blackburn in her 60s who came in a group of three ladies, a man by the name of Mr. Sabir, a mother and her son from Preston also died. Her daughter made it through the collision. Two of the injured are being treated at King Abdul Aziz Hospital and the rest are being treated at Mustashfa al Noor Hospital in Makkah.

We pray that Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) has mercy on them, forgives them and elevates their ranks in Jannah. May Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) grant patience and strength to their families, Amīn.